I read recently that Reese Witherspoon loves to colour by numbers and it made me think my first blog has to be on the power of colouring for my kids and even me. My kids and I love a colouring session and it has really supported them as well as me with relaxing, reducing screen time and bonding. If you already know the benefits skip to the tips and let me know if you have any more.
1. Fine-Tuning Motor Skills: Did you know that colouring is like a workout for your child's tiny fingers? As they grasp crayons or markers and manoeuvre them across the page, they're honing their fine motor skills. These skills are crucial for tasks like writing, tying shoelaces, and even buttoning clothes.
Every time your child colours, they're not just creating art; they're also developing important physical abilities that will serve them well in the future.
2. Encouraging Creativity: Colouring isn't just about staying inside the lines. It's a chance for kids to let their imaginations run wild and bring their wildest dreams to life on paper. Whether they're colouring a rainbow with polka dots or a purple elephant, there are no limits to what they can create. By encouraging this kind of creative expression, you're fostering a sense of freedom and individuality that will benefit them throughout their lives.
3. Promoting Mindfulness: In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to teach kids the value of mindfulness and being present in the moment. Colouring provides the perfect opportunity for this. As children focus on filling in each section with colour, they enter a state of calm concentration, free from the distractions of the outside world. It's a chance for them to slow down, breathe, and connect with their inner selves—a skill that will serve them well as they navigate life's ups and downs. I find we have lovely conversations when colouring together and it calms me down too.
4. Building Confidence: There's something truly magical about seeing a blank page transform into a work of art, and every time your child completes a colouring page, they're achieving a small but meaningful victory. With each stroke of the crayon, they're building confidence in their abilities and learning to trust in their creative instincts. And when you praise their masterpiece, you're reinforcing their sense of accomplishment and encouraging them to keep reaching for the stars.
Tips for Getting Started with Colouring:
Provide a Variety of Materials: Offer a range of colouring tools such as crayons, markers, coloured pencils, and even watercolour paints. This allows kids to experiment with different mediums and find what they enjoy most. Colour and cut out and show their art proudly so they can be reminded of their good work. Don't leave their work forgotten in books.
Create a Cozy Space: Set up a dedicated colouring area with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and plenty of supplies within reach. Make it a cozy and inviting space where kids can let their creativity flow freely.
Offer Inspiration: Provide colouring books with a variety of themes and subjects that interest your child, whether it's animals, nature, superheroes, or princesses. Here are some free colouring pages to add to your tool kit. https://www.sweetieverse.com/colouring-in-pages
Join in the Fun: Colouring isn't just for kids! Show your child that you value creativity by colouring alongside them. It's a great way to bond and spend quality time together.
Switching from screens to colouring. Rather saying "ok, tv off let's colour" I put the items beside my kids and start colouring. It is an easy switch and works more often than not.
Colouring trends. If your child is slightly older you can do some of the youtube colouring trends such as the 3 pen challenge. You each pick 3 colouring pencils/markers and can only colour in using those. It makes you think about how to use the colours creatively and is a fun challenge.
Colour along. Another option is the online draw along sessions online with artists such as Rob Biddulph #DrawWithRob ….get ready to learn how to draw and Axolotl and many more brilliant things. I know it is online but I noted when we do them my daughter then will continue independently offline and practice and the themes are fun and on trend.
If you are stuck on ideas on what to draw - do some squiggles and colour in the spaces together.....just get colouring and enjoy. It is not about perfection just doing.
So, the next time you're looking for a simple yet powerful activity to engage your little ones, why not break out the colouring books? Not only will they have a blast creating colourful masterpieces, but they'll also be reaping a whole host of benefits along the way. Happy ~colouring, everyone!
Our colouring products....
Our colouring books are available on Amazon. The best selling book is the magical princesses book. We also have activity books that incorporate colouring.
We have partnered with @theseprintstho to print and deliver personalised and non personalised colouring posters.
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